Comments on: Toronto Blue Jays: Devoid of Action, Optimism, Message http://theondeckcircle.net/2009/02/10/toronto-blue-jays-devoid-of-action-optimism-message/ The Unofficial Home for Real Talk Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:38:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Samuel Cassady http://theondeckcircle.net/2009/02/10/toronto-blue-jays-devoid-of-action-optimism-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1893 Samuel Cassady Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:47:09 +0000 http://theondeckcircle.net/?p=2318#comment-1893 The Jays are in a tough spot, and not only because of the foes they face in their division. They're a small market team in a big market home, and they don't have much of a fan base. To bring in fans and keep relevant in the newspapers it seems they've developed a similar strategy to the Raps and Leafs: bring in a few marketable stars, and let the team linger in mediocrity (yay MLSE). This notion of selling seats, not championships, has now become obvious among Leaf fans, and it has arguably worked for them. But with the Jays, it's a whole different world because they don't have as loyal a fan base and so people seem lose hope more quickly (also maybe because all baseball watchers are depressed). :) For the past few seasons I've absolutely hated Vernon Wells. He's a solid player, yes, and has kept a positive attitude (I'm sure $20 mill helps) despite consecutive losing seasons, sure. But to me he embodies everything that I so despise in Toronto sports: stars paid like super-stars, and management refusing to rebuild and deal these guys while they can. Roy Halladay. He's awesome; he's basically everything you would want in an athlete. But what's the point? Deal him. Chris Bosh. Like Halladay he's a perennial all-star, but is he a god outside of Toronto? Deal him. In my opinion, paying veteran stars is risky and fans often grow discontent when their stars don't win (ala V. Wells and the Jays, Bosh and the Raps); loading a team with prospects gives the fans hope, without the risk of handicapping the team in the future. Hello Tampa Bay. Who's the bigger star in Toronto this spring, Lyle Overbay, or Travis Snyder? I'll be cheering for Snyder. The Jays are in a tough spot, and not only because of the foes they face in their division. They’re a small market team in a big market home, and they don’t have much of a fan base. To bring in fans and keep relevant in the newspapers it seems they’ve developed a similar strategy to the Raps and Leafs: bring in a few marketable stars, and let the team linger in mediocrity (yay MLSE). This notion of selling seats, not championships, has now become obvious among Leaf fans, and it has arguably worked for them. But with the Jays, it’s a whole different world because they don’t have as loyal a fan base and so people seem lose hope more quickly (also maybe because all baseball watchers are depressed). :)

For the past few seasons I’ve absolutely hated Vernon Wells. He’s a solid player, yes, and has kept a positive attitude (I’m sure $20 mill helps) despite consecutive losing seasons, sure. But to me he embodies everything that I so despise in Toronto sports: stars paid like super-stars, and management refusing to rebuild and deal these guys while they can.

Roy Halladay. He’s awesome; he’s basically everything you would want in an athlete. But what’s the point? Deal him.

Chris Bosh. Like Halladay he’s a perennial all-star, but is he a god outside of Toronto? Deal him.

In my opinion, paying veteran stars is risky and fans often grow discontent when their stars don’t win (ala V. Wells and the Jays, Bosh and the Raps); loading a team with prospects gives the fans hope, without the risk of handicapping the team in the future. Hello Tampa Bay.

Who’s the bigger star in Toronto this spring, Lyle Overbay, or Travis Snyder? I’ll be cheering for Snyder.

]]> By: Samuel Cassady http://theondeckcircle.net/2009/02/10/toronto-blue-jays-devoid-of-action-optimism-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1892 Samuel Cassady Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:14:58 +0000 http://theondeckcircle.net/?p=2318#comment-1892 Completely unrelated (except of course if we're talking about the current sorry state of Toronto sports) is the trade Chris Bosh movement. I've been hearing a lot of opinions that believe moving him now is the best course of action. My deal: Bosh to Chicago for Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and J. Noah. In Toronto I think we tend to over-rate our stars, and while Bosh is a developing, young 20-10, he's not really that dominant. I'm hoping for a deal. Completely unrelated (except of course if we’re talking about the current sorry state of Toronto sports) is the trade Chris Bosh movement. I’ve been hearing a lot of opinions that believe moving him now is the best course of action.

My deal:

Bosh to Chicago for Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and J. Noah.

In Toronto I think we tend to over-rate our stars, and while Bosh is a developing, young 20-10, he’s not really that dominant. I’m hoping for a deal.

]]> By: Mike http://theondeckcircle.net/2009/02/10/toronto-blue-jays-devoid-of-action-optimism-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1891 Mike Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:17:04 +0000 http://theondeckcircle.net/?p=2318#comment-1891 I am tired... I am a tired Toronto Blue Jays fan. I am tired of hoping we will make the playoffs, I am tired of watching teams like Florida, San Francisco, Arizona, Oakland and Cleveland deplete their rosters and rebuild more quickly than Toronto has. It’s not like we haven’t been trying. The back to back was a great accomplishment but I am tired of Toronto living in the past. I am tired of being 1 of 4 teams that hasn’t seen post season play since 1993. 1 of 3 teams if you project that Montreal/Washington would have made the playoffs in 94. Is Toronto really as bad as Kansas City and Pittsburgh? My thoughts: Toronto isn’t a place for big market free agent players so why even bother going after the studs. Spend your time and effort going after the guys we can afford. Let’s stop pretending we have just won back to back World Series and players want to play for us. Instead let’s trade for some prospects and actually rebuild. I am tired…

I am a tired Toronto Blue Jays fan. I am tired of hoping we will make the playoffs, I am tired of watching teams like Florida, San Francisco, Arizona, Oakland and Cleveland deplete their rosters and rebuild more quickly than Toronto has. It’s not like we haven’t been trying. The back to back was a great accomplishment but I am tired of Toronto living in the past. I am tired of being 1 of 4 teams that hasn’t seen post season play since 1993. 1 of 3 teams if you project that Montreal/Washington would have made the playoffs in 94. Is Toronto really as bad as Kansas City and Pittsburgh?
My thoughts: Toronto isn’t a place for big market free agent players so why even bother going after the studs. Spend your time and effort going after the guys we can afford. Let’s stop pretending we have just won back to back World Series and players want to play for us. Instead let’s trade for some prospects and actually rebuild.

]]> By: Trev http://theondeckcircle.net/2009/02/10/toronto-blue-jays-devoid-of-action-optimism-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1890 Trev Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:11:51 +0000 http://theondeckcircle.net/?p=2318#comment-1890 Overheard at Cito's locker... "Joe Carter isn't walking through that door, gang. Robbie Alomar isn't walking through that door. Hell, Ed Sprauge isn't walking through that door..." Overheard at Cito’s locker…

“Joe Carter isn’t walking through that door, gang. Robbie Alomar isn’t walking through that door. Hell, Ed Sprauge isn’t walking through that door…”

]]>